Frustrated Korn wants to play

Backup quarterback Willy Korn watched the majority of Clemson's offensive plays last Saturday while standing 20 yards from where the team's coaches and other quarterbacks were stationed.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney leads the Tigers down the hill before the game as TCU defeats Clemson 14-10 Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009 at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C.

TCU wide receiver Antoine Hicks No. 13 pulls down the winning touchdown in front of Clemson cornerback No. 36 Byron Maxwell during the fourth quarter as TCU defeats Clemson 14-10 Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009 at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C. Hicks came up with the ball after pinning it between he and Maxwell as the pair fell into the end zone.

TCU running back Ryan Christian No. 18 pulls down a reception for six yards before Clemson cornerback No. 18 Crezdon Butler pulls him down during the third quarter as TCU defeats Clemson 14-10 Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009 at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C.

Clemson running back No. 28 C.J. Spiller runs in the red zone on second down brings up third down and four yard to go after he hurdled TCU cornerback Nick Sanders No. 20 during the first quarter as TCU defeats Clemson 14-10 Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009 at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C.

Clemson running back No. 28 C.J. Spiller puts his knee down on the turf just short of the goal line during the second quarter as TCU defeats Clemson 14-10 Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009 at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C. After a review, the ball was placed within the one yard line. Spiller pushed the ball into the end zone on the ensuing play for a touchdown.

Clemson running back No. 28 C.J. Spiller puts his knee down on the turf just short of the goal line during the second quarter as TCU defeats Clemson 14-10 Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009 at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C. After a review, the ball was placed within the one yard line. Spiller pushed the ball into the end zone on the ensuing play for a touchdown.

TCU running back Joseph Turner No. 24 is stopped by Clemson linebacker No. 33 Kavell Conner on third down and two picking up only one yard bringing up fourth down and one yard to go during the second quarter as TCU defeats Clemson 14-10 Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009 at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C. TCU did not pick up a first down and turned the ball over on downs.

Clemson running back No. 28 C.J. Spiller is stopped by TCU safety Alex Ibiloye No. 9 for a short gain during the first quarter as TCU defeats Clemson 14-10 Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009 at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C.

Clemson running back No. 28 C.J. Spiller pushes through a pile for a one-yard touchdown rush during the second quarter as TCU defeats Clemson 14-10 Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009 at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C.

Clemson FB No. 5 Rendrick Taylor picks up 14 yards and a first down before he is knocked out of bounds on the 27 yard line by TCU safety Alex Ibiloye No. 9 during the first quarter as TCU defeats Clemson 14-10 Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009 at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C.

Clemson running back No. 28 C.J. Spiller is stopped by TCU safety Alex Ibiloye No. 9 for a six yard gain bringing up third down and four yards to go during the first quarter as TCU defeats Clemson 14-10 Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009 at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C.

TCU wide receiver Emmanuel Asaolu No. 14 dives on his own fumble while trying to hand the ball to TCU running back Ed Wesley No. 34 losing four yards bringing up third down and 12 yards to go during the first quarter as TCU defeats Clemson 14-10 Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009 at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C.

Clemson running back No. 28 C.J. Spiller hurdles TCU cornerback Rafael Priest No. 10 for a seven yard gain bringing up second down and three yards to go during the second quarter as TCU defeats Clemson 14-10 Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009 at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C.

TCU qurterback Andy Dalton No. 14 dives on his own fumble while trying to hand the ball to TCU running back Ed Wesley No. 34 losing four yards bringing up third down and 12 yards to go during the first quarter as TCU defeats Clemson 14-10 Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009 at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C.

Clemson running back No. 28 C.J. Spiller evades TCU linebacker Daryl Washington No. 41 after a 60-yard reception during the second quarter as TCU defeats Clemson 14-10 Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009 at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C. The play set up an eventual one-yard touchdown rush by Spiller.

Clemson running back No. 28 C.J. Spiller evades TCU linebacker Daryl Washington No. 41 after a 60-yard reception during the second quarter as TCU defeats Clemson 14-10 Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009 at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C. The play set up an eventual one-yard touchdown rush by Spiller.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney celebrates with Clemson running back No. 28 C.J. Spiller after Spiller rushed for a one-yard touchdown during the second quarter as TCU defeats Clemson 14-10 Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009 at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C.

Clemson running back No. 28 C.J. Spiller rushes down the right side line and is brought down by TCU cornerback Nick Sanders No. 20 during the fourth quarter as TCU defeats Clemson 14-10 Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009 at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney sends in calls after a 60-yard reception by Clemson running back No. 28 C.J. Spiller during the second quarter as TCU defeats Clemson 14-10 Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009 at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C.

Clemson tight end No. 83 Dwayne Allen picks up eight yards on a reception and is stopped by TCU linebacker Daryl Washington No. 41 on the 42 yard line during the first quarter as TCU defeats Clemson 14-10 Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009 at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C.

Clemson safety No. 2 DeAndre McDaniel jumps over TCU qurterback Andy Dalton No. 14 after Dalton ran for 18 yards and a first down to the 43 yard line during the third quarter as TCU defeats Clemson 14-10 Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009 at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C.

TCU running back Ed Wesley No. 34 is pulled down by Clemson defenders for a loss of two yards bringing up second down and 12 yards to go on the 38 yard line during the second quarter as TCU defeats Clemson 14-10 Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009 at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C.

Clemson tight end No. 86 Michael Palmer picks up 12 yards and a first down on the 32 yard line in front of TCU linebacker Daryl Washington No. 41 and TCU safety Alex Ibiloye No. 9 during the first quarter as TCU defeats Clemson 14-10 Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009 at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C.

CLEMSON - Backup quarterback Willy Korn watched the majority of Clemson's offensive plays last Saturday while standing 20 yards from where the team's coaches and other quarterbacks were stationed.

Korn said he wanted to see plays from quarterback Kyle Parker's vantage point, using them as "mental reps."

For the second game this season, those were the only repetitions Korn garnered. Which is why Korn found himself Monday dismissing speculation of an impending transfer while also expressing disappointment that he had not been playing as coach Dabo Swinney pledged.

"It's not easy watching football games, it's really not," Korn said.

"I'll be honest with you, it's a little frustrating not playing Saturday and not getting to play against Georgia Tech. But that's something that's out of my control. When I go in, how many plays I get to play, that's all coach Swinney's decision.

"When a guy tells you you're going to be playing every single game, that's what you expect. At the same time, I understand we were down 24-zip at Georgia Tech and I think we only had three or four offensive possessions first half against TCU, so I understand these two games. The circumstances didn't merit me getting any playing time. But I hope my role can expand in these coming weeks."

Upon request Monday, Korn rehashed Swinney guarantee "to my face" that he would play every game. But he did not appear in either of Clemson's games against ranked opponents.

Korn admitted that the Tigers' production during his brief stints probably was the reason. Five of the six drives he has directed have lasted no more than four plays and gone for two yards or fewer. But Korn believes the outcomes of his drives were largely not his doing.

On the second play of his second-quarter drive against Middle Tennessee, Korn lost control of the ball as he cocked his arm, and a Blue Raiders defensive lineman caught it mid-air and returned it 68 yards for a touchdown. Then, on the second play of his opening second-half drive, Korn's floating pass to the left sideline was bobbled by running back Jamie Harper before being intercepted.

"I'm not going to sit here and make any excuses, (but) the few opportunities I have had, just had some really bad luck," Korn said. "Somehow, some kind of freak play happens."

Korn has dropped back for four passes - two were intercepted, another was completed for a 1-yard loss on a screen and the fourth culminated in a sack off play-action.

"So I really haven't had a great number of opportunities to show what I can do on Saturdays," he said. "Hopefully I get some more opportunities and can get in a rhythm out there. It's kind of difficult when we don't get anything going and go three-and-out, then you go sit for an hour and then go back out there again."

Rumors had circulated in recent weeks that Korn had planned to transfer to Appalachian State after this season, but Korn refuted that Monday but said he will evaluate his future at Clemson after the season.

One major factor in the timing of such a decision could be that the redshirt sophomore is on pace to graduate in May with a degree in communications studies.

"Everyone at the end of the season looks at their situation, how their season went and how their career's been going," Korn said. "But it's nothing I can forecast this early in the season. We've only played four ballgames. A lot can still happen, a lot can still change. A lot of good things can still happen to me here."

Korn said this season's trials have paled in comparison to last season's misery.

"Last year was 10 times more difficult than this year just because I was injured and never thought I'd actually get back to the point where I'd throw a football correctly again," he said. "... This year is different because I'm not hurt anymore. I'm healthy and throwing the ball really well.

"Hopefully I can get some more snaps and see my role expand a little more, because I really want to contribute to this team and help us win a championship. Because I really think I can. I can help some way."